Piece of equipment for cutting unfired ceramic material

Abstract

The piece of equipment (1) for cutting unfired ceramic material comprises: - a load-bearing frame (2); - a conveyor plane (3) of at least one unfired ceramic manufactured article (M), where the conveyor plane (3) is associated with the frame (2) and movable along one direction of forward movement (4); - cutting means (5, 6) associated with the frame (2) and adapted to make a cut on the ceramic manufactured article (M) along a cutting direction (7, 8), wherein the cutting means (5, 6) comprise a plurality of cutting heads (9, 10) supporting at least one relevant cutting disc (11) in rotation adapted to interact with the ceramic manufactured article (M) and to define the cutting direction (7, 8); and where at least one of the cutting heads (9, 10) is of the type of a multiple cutting head (15) supporting in rotation at least a first disc (11a) and at least a second disc (11b) arranged between them in succession along the relevant cutting direction (7, 8) and arranged at a height different from each other with respect to the conveyor plane (3).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a piece of equipment for cutting unfired ceramic material.Background Art

[0002] In the ceramic field, it is known to cut unfired ceramic manufactured articles, that is, once they have undergone a forming process (pressing) and before they undergo a firing heat treatment (aimed at increasing their mechanical properties), so as to obtain sub-formats starting from a larger manufactured article.

[0003] The equipment of known type generally consists of a load-bearing frame, of a conveyor plane adapted to move the ceramic manufactured articles to be cut along a direction of forward movement, of longitudinal cutting means adapted to cut the manufactured article along a direction parallel to the direction of forward movement, and of transverse cutting means adapted to cut the manufactured article along a direction transverse to the direction of forward movement.

[0004] Both longitudinal and transverse cutting means comprise a plurality of cutting heads, each of which supports a cutting disc operable in rotation around a relevant axis.

[0005] It is therefore easy to appreciate how the combined action of longitudinal cutting means and transverse cutting means allows obtaining, from an individual unfired manufactured article, a plurality of manufactured articles having reduced dimensions compared to the starting manufactured article.

[0006] To date, it is particularly advantageous to carry out the cutting of unfired ceramic manufactured articles with slab-like conformation, where the length thereof can reach dimensions on the order of 3 meters.

[0007] Longitudinal cutting of these manufactured articles is generally carried out by keeping the cutting heads of the longitudinal cutting means stationary and by moving the slab-like manufactured article along the direction of forward movement.

[0008] It is easy to appreciate that the greater the thickness and the extension of the manufactured article to be cut, the greater the workload to which the cutting discs are subjected.

[0009] In particular, as the thickness of the manufactured article to be cut increases, in order to obtain an accurate cut, the relevant shifting speed between the cutting disc and the ceramic manufactured article must be decreased.

[0010] It is therefore easy to appreciate how the cutting speed decreases as the thickness increases, consequently reducing the performance of the piece of equipment.

[0011] In addition, it may happen that, due to high load and prolonged use, the absorption of the motors driving the cutting discs in rotation is too high and, therefore, the motors go into lockout, thus interrupting the cutting action.Description of the Invention

[0012] The main aim of the present invention is to devise a piece of equipment for cutting unfired ceramic material which allows optimizing the cutting speed regardless of the thickness of the manufactured article to be cut.

[0013] Within this aim, one object of the present invention is to maintain an optimal cutting speed even as the thickness of the manufactured article to be cut increases. One object of the present invention is to avoid overloading the motors driving the cutting discs in rotation.

[0014] Another object of the present invention is to devise a piece of equipment which allows achieving higher manufactured production output than the pieces of equipment of known type.

[0015] Another object of the present invention is to devise a piece of equipment for cutting unfired ceramic material which allows the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art to be overcome within the framework of a simple, rational, easy and effective to use as well as affordable solution.

[0016] The aforementioned objects are achieved by this piece of equipment for cutting unfired ceramic material according to claim 1.Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017] Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of a piece of equipment for cutting unfired ceramic material, illustrated by way of an indicative, yet non-limiting example in the attached tables of drawings in which: Figure 1 is an axonometric view of a piece of equipment according to the invention; Figure 2 is a plan view from above of the piece of equipment in Figure 1; figure 3 is a magnifying view of a multiple cutting head of the piece of equipment in Figure 1; Figure 4 is a side elevation view of the multiple cutting head in Figure 3; Figure 5 is a magnifying view of the transverse cutting means of the piece of equipment in Figure 1; Figure 6 is a magnifying view of the displacement means of the piece of equipment in Figure 1; Figure 7 is an axonometric view of a multiple cutting head in an alternative embodiment. Embodiments of the Invention

[0018] With particular reference to these figures, reference numeral 1 globally denotes a piece of equipment for cutting unfired ceramic material.

[0019] The piece of equipment 1 is placed, within a plant for the production of ceramic manufactured articles, such as tiles, slabs and the like, downstream of the compacting means of the unfired ceramic material, such as presses or the like, and upstream of the firing means, such as kilns or other heating machines.

[0020] The piece of equipment 1 comprises a load-bearing frame 2, a conveyor plane 3 of at least one unfired ceramic manufactured article M, where the conveyor plane 3 is associated with the frame 2 and movable along one direction of forward movement 4, cutting means 5, 6 associated with the frame 2 and adapted to make a cut on the ceramic manufactured article M along a cutting direction 7,8.

[0021] For example, the conveyor plane 3 consists of a motor-driven conveyor. Different embodiments, such as belts or belting, cannot however be ruled out.

[0022] The cutting means 5, 6 comprise a plurality of cutting heads 9, 10 each supporting at least one relevant cutting disc 11 in rotation which is adapted to interact with the ceramic manufactured article M and to define the cutting direction 7, 8. Specifically, each cutting head 9,10 comprises a relevant load-bearing element 12 connected to the frame 2 and at least one relevant holding element 13, associated with the load-bearing element 12 and supporting the relevant cutting disc 11. More particularly, each cutting head 9,10 is provided with relevant motor means 14 adapted to operate in rotation the relevant cutting discs 11 around an axis of rotation.

[0023] According to the invention, at least one of the cutting heads 9, 10 is of the type of a multiple cutting head 15 supporting in rotation at least a first cutting disc 11a and at least a second cutting disc 11b arranged between them in succession along the relevant cutting direction 7,8 and arranged at a height different from each other with respect to the conveyor plane 3.

[0024] Preferably, the first disc 11a is arranged upstream of the second disc 11b with respect to the relevant cutting direction 7,8 and is arranged higher than the second disc 11b with respect to the conveyor plane 3.

[0025] Appropriately, the first disc 11a and the second disc 11b are arranged aligned with each other along the relevant cutting direction 7, 8.

[0026] In this way, the first disc 11a makes a first cut of the ceramic manufactured article M such that its thickness is only partly affected, while the second disc 11b is adapted to intercept the remaining thickness of the ceramic manufactured article M so as to make a through cut.

[0027] Preferably, the multiple cutting head 15 comprises two motor means 14 which are independent of each other, one for each cutting disc 11a, 11b.

[0028] In the embodiment shown in Figures 3 and 4, the first disc 11a and the second disc 11b are movable independently of each other in the direction of close / away movement to / from the conveyor plane 3. In other words, the first disc 11a and the second disc 11b of the multiple cutting head 15 are movable in the vertical direction independently of each other. In this way, it is possible to vary the working altitude of each disc 11a, 11b of the multiple cutting head 15 independently of each other, thereby varying the relevant depth of cut. In this embodiment, the multiple cutting head 15 has a load-bearing element 12 associated with the frame 2 and two holding elements 13, which are associated with the load-bearing element 12 and each supporting a relevant disc 11a, 11b.

[0029] Each holding element 13 also supports the motor means 14 of the relevant disc 11a, 11b.

[0030] In one alternative embodiment, shown in Figure 7, the first disc 11a and the second disc 11b are vertically movable in a locked together manner. More particularly, in this embodiment, the multiple cutting head 15 comprises a load-bearing element 12 and a holding element 13 supporting both discs 11a and 11b. Preferably, the second disc 11b is vertically movable with respect to the first disc 11a to tune up the mutual position of the two discs 11a and 11b.

[0031] In more detail, the piece of equipment 1 comprises adjustment means 16 for adjusting the height of the first disc 11a and of the second disc 11b with respect to the conveyor plane 3. The adjustment means 16 are placed between the load-bearing element 12 and the holding elements 13.

[0032] In the preferred embodiment shown in Figures 3 and 4, the adjustment means 16 are, e.g., of the type of motor-driven jacks with relevant encoders. Specifically, the adjustment means 16 comprise, for each multiple cutting head 15, two jacks 16, one for each cutting disc 11a, 11b.

[0033] The jacks 16 have a body 16a associated with the load-bearing element 12 and a rod 16b, movable with respect to the body 16a, associated with a relevant holding element 13, which is in turn hinged to the load-bearing element 12. As a result of the movement of the rod 16b, the holding element 13 attached thereto rotates with respect to the load-bearing element 12, consequently changing the working altitude of the corresponding cutting disc 11a, 11b. In the embodiment in Figure 7, the adjustment means 16 comprise a guide 16c of the linear type associated with the load-bearing element 12 and a skid 16d associated with the holding element 13 and movable by shifting along the guide 16c. Appropriately, the adjustment means 16 also comprise actuation means 16e, of the type of an electric motor, for the movement of the skid 16d and provided with a relevant encoder. More particularly, in this alternative embodiment, tuning up means 19 are further provided, e.g. of the type of tuning screws, adapted to allow fine adjustment of the working altitude of the second disc 11b with respect to the first disc 11a.

[0034] Preferably, the adjustment means 16 are electronically controlled.

[0035] Appropriately, the piece of equipment 1 comprises an electronic control unit 17, operationally connected to the cutting heads 9, 10 and through which the working altitude of the relevant cutting discs 11 can be set.

[0036] More particularly, the electronic control unit 17 is operationally connected to the adjustment means 16 in such a way that the working altitude of the first disc 11a and / or of the second disc 11b can be adjusted remotely.

[0037] Preferably, the electronic control unit 17 is operationally connected to the encoders of the adjustment means 16.

[0038] Preferably, the piece of equipment 1 also comprises alignment means (not shown in detail in the figures) which are operable to adjust the relevant position of the first disc 11a and of the second disc 11b along a direction of alignment 18 which is transverse to the cutting direction 7, 8. In this way any misalignment, due to wear and tear or assembly tolerances, can be offset. The alignment means can be of the type of an electric actuator or the type of mechanical tuning screws. Appropriately, the electronic control unit 17 is operationally connected to the alignment means (in case these are of the electric type) so as to be able to remotely manage the mutual position of the discs 11a, 11b of the multiple cutting head 15. The piece of equipment 1 may also comprise, particularly in the event of the adjustment means 16 and / or the alignment means being not provided with encoders, detection means, not visible in detail in the figures, for detecting the position of the discs 11a, 11b of the multiple cutting head 15 both in the vertical direction, with respect to the conveyor plane 3, and along the direction of alignment 18.

[0039] These detection means are operationally connected to the electronic control unit 17, which is configured to feedback manage the position of the first disc 11a and of the second disc 11b depending on the signal received from the detection means. The detection means may be of the type of a bright laser adapted to intercept the profile of the discs 11a and 11b.

[0040] Preferably, the multiple cutting head 15 is movable by shifting with respect to the conveyor plane 3 along at least one direction of movement 21,22,26 and the first disc 11a and the second disc 11b are locked together by shifting with the relevant multiple cutting head 15 along such direction of movement 21,22,26. Advantageously, the cutting means 5, 6 comprise longitudinal cutting means 5 associated with the frame 2 and adapted to make a cut on the ceramic manufactured article M along a longitudinal cutting direction 7 which is substantially parallel to the direction of forward movement 4. More particularly, the longitudinal cutting means 5 comprise one or more longitudinal cutting heads 9 supporting at least one cutting disc 11 in rotation which is adapted to interact with the ceramic manufactured article M and to define the longitudinal cutting direction 7.

[0041] Advantageously, the cutting means 5, 6 comprise transverse cutting means 6 associated with the frame 2 and adapted to make a cut on the ceramic manufactured article M along a transverse cutting direction 8 which is transverse to the direction of forward movement 4. More particularly, the transverse cutting means 6 comprise one or more transverse cutting heads 10 supporting at least one cutting disc 11 in rotation which disc is adapted to interact with the ceramic manufactured article M and to define the transverse cutting direction 8. Appropriately, at least one of either the longitudinal cutting heads 9 or the transverse cutting heads 10 is of the type of a multiple cutting head 15.

[0042] In the preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment shown in the figures, the longitudinal cutting heads 9 are movable with respect to the conveyor plane 3 along one direction of adjustment 21 which is transverse to the direction of forward movement 4 and are fixed with respect to the conveyor plane itself along the direction of forward movement 4.

[0043] Preferably, each longitudinal cutting head 9 is movable along the direction of adjustment 21 independently of the other longitudinal cutting heads 9. In this way, the mutual distance of the longitudinal cutting directions 7 can be adjusted and the size of the portions of the cut ceramic manufactured articles can be changed accordingly.

[0044] Advantageously, the transverse cutting heads 10 are movable with respect to the conveyor plane 3 along at least one direction of work 22, transverse to the direction of forward movement 4.

[0045] Preferably, the transverse cutting heads 10 are locked together with each other by shifting along the direction of work 22.

[0046] In the embodiment shown in the figures, the piece of equipment 1 comprises a supporting element 23 which supports the transverse cutting heads 10 and is connected movable by shifting to the frame 2 along the direction of work 22. The transverse cutting heads 10 are locked together by shifting along the direction of work 22 to the supporting element 23.

[0047] In more detail, the frame 2 comprises a pair of guiding elements 24 developing along the direction of work 22 and opposite each other, with which the supporting element 23 is associated movable by shifting.

[0048] Appropriately, when displacing the transverse cutting heads 10 along the direction of work 22, the conveyor plane 3 is stationary.

[0049] More specifically, the transverse cutting heads 10 are movable by shifting along the direction of work between a first position, wherein they are arranged at a side edge of the conveyor plane 3, and a second position, wherein they are arranged at the opposite side edge of the conveyor plane 3.

[0050] The displacement of the transverse cutting heads 10 from the first position to the second position thus allows cutting the ceramic manufactured articles M, already previously cut by the longitudinal cutting means 5, into additional sub-formats. The piece of equipment 1 has a bidirectional cutting mode, wherein the cutting discs 11 of the transverse cutting heads 10 are arranged at a first distance from the conveyor plane 3 both during a first stroke from the first position to the second position and during a second stroke from the second position to the first position. The distance of the cutting discs 11 is such that they intercept the ceramic manufactured article M during the displacement of the transverse cutting heads 10 along the direction of work 22. In this case, the cutting discs 11 of the various transverse cutting heads 10 are operated in rotation around the relevant axis along a first way during the first stroke and along a second way, opposite the first way, during the second stroke. In this way, it is therefore possible to make, with each shift of the transverse cutting heads 10 along the direction of work 22, a cut of the ceramic manufactured articles M. In this operational configuration, by operating on the motor means 14, the way of rotation of the cutting discs 11 is reversed during the opposite-way strokes of the transverse cutting heads 10 along the direction of work 22 so that there are no "idle" strokes of the transverse cutting heads themselves.

[0051] The piece of equipment 1 has a unidirectional cutting mode, wherein the cutting discs 11 of the transverse cutting heads 10 are arranged at a first distance from the conveyor plane 3 during a first stroke from the first position to the second position, so as to intercept the ceramic manufactured article M, and are arranged at a second distance from the conveyor plane 3, which is greater than the first distance, during a second stroke from the second position to the first position, so as not to intercept the ceramic manufactured article M. In this operational configuration, the cutting discs 11 cut the ceramic manufactured articles M by always rotating in the same way.

[0052] Preferably, the piece of equipment 1 comprises displacement means 27 of the supporting element 23 which are operable to simultaneously raise / lower all transverse cutting heads 10. More specifically, the displacement means 27 are operable to move the supporting element 23 between a lowered position and a raised position.

[0053] Preferably, the displacement means 27 comprise at least one articulated quadrilateral. More particularly, the displacement means 27 comprise a base element 27a associated with the frame 2, a movement element 27b locked together with the supporting element 23 and a pair of connecting rods 27c hinged on one side to the base element 27a and on the other side to the movement element 27b. The displacement means 27 then comprise actuator means 28 operable to control the movement of the articulated quadrilateral and, therefore, of the supporting element 23.

[0054] Appropriately, the displacement means 27 comprise two articulated quadrilaterals arranged from opposite sides of the supporting element 23. The base elements 27a are associated with the guiding elements 24 in a sliding manner.

[0055] During the first stroke of the transverse cutting heads 10, the supporting element 23 is therefore at the lowered position. In the bidirectional cutting mode, the supporting element 23 remains at the lowered position even during the second stroke. In this case, therefore, the displacement means 27 are not operated and the cutting discs 11 are at a first distance from the conveyor plane 3, such that they intercept the ceramic manufactured articles M resting thereon, both during the first stroke and during the second stroke.

[0056] In the unidirectional cutting mode, the supporting element 23 is at the lowered position during the first stroke and at the raised position during the second stroke. In this case, therefore, when reaching the second position, the displacement means 27 are activated and the supporting element 23 reaches the raised position by consequently moving the transverse cutting heads 10 to a second distance from the conveyor plane 3 which is greater than the first distance previously described. Once the first position has been reached, the displacement means 27 must be operated again to lower the supporting element 23 and to return the cutting discs 11 of the transverse cutting heads 10 to the first distance from the conveyor plane 3 so as to intercept the new ceramic manufactured article M to be cut.

[0057] Appropriately, the displacement means 27 are operable to switch from the first working configuration to the second working configuration. More specifically, the electronic control unit 17 is operationally connected to the displacement means 27 so as to control the lifting or lowering of the supporting element 23 and thus to switch from the bidirectional cutting mode to the unidirectional cutting mode and vice versa.

[0058] Appropriately, the piece of equipment 1 comprises lifting means 25 of the transverse cutting heads 10 operable to adjust their working altitude, and thus the height of the relevant cutting discs 11, with respect to the conveyor plane 3. More specifically, each transverse cutting head 10 is provided with relevant lifting means 25 so as to independently adjust the working altitude of the cutting discs 11 of each transverse cutting head 10 independently of each other.

[0059] The lifting means 25 are, e.g., of the type of motor-driven jacks with relevant encoders.

[0060] Again, the jacks 25 have their relevant body 25a associated with the load-bearing element 12 and the rod 25b associated with the holding element 13 of the relevant cutting disc 11.

[0061] Appropriately, the electronic control unit 17 is operationally connected to the lifting means 25.

[0062] Preferably, the transverse cutting heads 10 are also movable, with respect to the conveyor plane 3, along a direction of positioning 26 which is substantially parallel to the direction of forward movement 4. In this way, the mutual distance between the transverse cutting directions 8 of the various transverse cutting heads 10 can be changed.

[0063] The operation of the piece of equipment 1 in carrying out a process according to the invention is as follows.

[0064] First of all, one or more ceramic manufactured articles M to be cut are provided, e.g. of the type of a ceramic slab.

[0065] Next, the unfired ceramic manufactured article M is cut along at least one cutting direction 7,8 so as to obtain a plurality of cut ceramic manufactured articles.

[0066] According to the invention, the cutting phase comprises a first cut adapted to intercept the ceramic manufactured article M for a reduced portion of its thickness, and a second cut, subsequent to and coincident with the first cut, which is adapted to intercept the ceramic manufactured article M for the remaining portion of its thickness.

[0067] Specifically, the first cut and the second cut are made in succession by the first disc 11a and by the second disc 11b, respectively.

[0068] In the embodiment of the piece of equipment 1 shown in the figures, the ceramic manufactured article M moving forward on the conveyor plane 3 is initially intercepted by the longitudinal cutting means 5 which, in this embodiment, comprise a plurality of multiple cutting heads 15.

[0069] Once the mutual distance of the multiple cutting heads 15 along the direction of adjustment 21 and the position of the cutting discs 11a and 11b have been adjusted along both the direction of alignment 18 and along the vertical direction, the cut along the longitudinal direction 7 is carried out by moving the ceramic manufactured article M forward.

[0070] As anticipated above, the first disc 11a intercepts the ceramic manufactured article M for just one portion of its thickness and the second disc 11b that follows completes the cut by intercepting the ceramic manufactured article M for the remaining portion of its thickness.

[0071] The resulting strips of ceramic manufactured article M are then brought, as a result of the further forward movement of the conveyor plane 3, to the transverse cutting means 6.

[0072] Once the conveyor plane 3 has positioned the cut ceramic manufactured article M at the transverse cutting means 6, it stops the movement thereof.

[0073] Once the mutual position of the transverse cutting heads 10 along the direction of positioning 26 and the working altitude of the relevant cutting discs 11 have been adjusted, the cut along the transverse direction 8 is carried out. The mutual position of the transverse cutting heads 10 is changed only in case different types of formats are to be obtained.

[0074] More specifically, the transverse cutting heads 10 are moved along the direction of work 22 as a result of the displacement of the supporting element 23, moving them from the first position to the second position.

[0075] During this stroke, the cutting discs 11 intercept the ceramic manufactured article M by making an additional cut transverse to the previous one and thus obtaining a plurality of sub-formats.

[0076] It has in practice been ascertained that the described invention achieves the intended objects and the fact is particularly emphasized that the piece of equipment covered by the present invention allows keeping high cutting speed even in the case of very thick ceramic manufactured articles, since it allows reducing the thickness that must be cut by each cutting disc. This allows, therefore, for high manufactured production outputs regardless of the thickness of the manufactured article to be cut.

[0077] More specifically, the presence on a cutting head of two discs arranged in succession and substantially aligned with each other, where the cutting disc arranged downstream is positioned at a lower working altitude than the cutting disc arranged upstream, allows keeping the cutting speed substantially constant as the thickness of the ceramic manufactured article to be cut varies. In fact, in this way, as the thickness increases, it is not necessary to reduce the cutting speed (i.e., the speed of mutual displacement between the manufactured article and the cutting disc) to achieve accurate cutting, since each disc intercepts only a reduced thickness of the manufactured article.

[0078] This expedient also avoids overloading the motor means driving the cutting discs in rotation, thus enabling reduced consumption of the same and reduced maintenance costs.

Claims

1. Piece of equipment (1) for cutting unfired ceramic material, comprising: - a load-bearing frame (2); - a conveyor plane (3) of at least one unfired ceramic manufactured article (M), where said conveyor plane (3) is associated with said frame (2) and movable along one direction of forward movement (4); - cutting means (5, 6) associated with said frame (2) and adapted to make a cut on said ceramic manufactured article (M) along a cutting direction (7, 8), wherein said cutting means (5, 6) comprise a plurality of cutting heads (9, 10) supporting at least one relevant cutting disc (11) in rotation adapted to interact with the ceramic manufactured article (M) and to define said cutting direction (7, 8); characterized by the fact that at least one of said cutting heads (9, 10) is of the type of a multiple cutting head (15) supporting in rotation at least a first disc (11a) and at least a second disc (11b) arranged between them in succession along the relevant cutting direction (7, 8) and arranged at a height different from each other with respect to said conveyor plane (3).

2. Piece of equipment (1) according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that said cutting means (5, 6) comprise: - longitudinal cutting means (5) associated with said frame (2) and adapted to make a cut on said ceramic manufactured article (M) along a longitudinal cutting direction (7) substantially parallel to said direction of forward movement (4); - transverse cutting means (6) associated with said frame (2) and adapted to make a cut on said ceramic manufactured article (M) along a transverse cutting direction (8) which is transverse to said direction of forward movement (4); wherein said longitudinal cutting means (5) comprise one or more longitudinal cutting heads (9) supporting at least one cutting disc (11) in rotation and adapted to interact with the ceramic manufactured article (M) and to define said longitudinal cutting direction (7) and wherein said transverse cutting means (6) comprise one or more transverse cutting heads (10) supporting at least one cutting disc (11) in rotation and adapted to interact with the ceramic manufactured article (M) and to define said transverse cutting direction (8), at least one of said longitudinal cutting heads (9) and of said transverse cutting heads (10) being of the type of said multiple cutting head.

3. Piece of equipment (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the fact that said first disc (11a), arranged upstream of said second disc (11b) with respect to the relevant cutting direction (7, 8), is arranged higher than said second disc (11b) with respect to said conveyor plane (3).

4. Piece of equipment (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said first disc (11a) and said second disc (11b) are arranged aligned with each other along the relevant cutting direction (7, 8).

5. Piece of equipment (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said first disc (11a) and said second disc (11b) are movable independently of each other in the direction of close / away movement to / from said conveyor plane (3).

6. Piece of equipment (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that it comprises adjustment means (16) for adjusting the height of said first disc (11a) and / or of said second disc (11b) with respect to said conveyor plane (3).

7. Piece of equipment (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that it comprises alignment means which are operable to adjust the relevant position of said first disc (11a) and of said second disc (11b) along a direction of alignment (18) which is transverse to said cutting direction (7, 8).

8. Piece of equipment (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said longitudinal cutting heads (9) are movable with respect to said conveyor plane (3) along a direction of adjustment (21) which is transverse to said direction of forward movement (4) and are fixed with respect to said conveyor plane (3) along said direction of forward movement (4).

9. Piece of equipment (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said transverse cutting heads (10) are movable with respect to said conveyor plane (3) along at least one direction of work (22), transverse to said direction of forward movement (4), between a first position, wherein they are arranged at a side edge of said conveyor plane (3), and a second position, wherein they are arranged at the opposite side edge of said conveyor plane (3).

10. Piece of equipment (1) according to claim 9, characterized by the fact that it has a bidirectional cutting mode wherein the cutting discs (11) of said transverse cutting heads (10) are arranged at the same distance from said conveyor plane (3) both during a first stroke from the first position to the second position and during a second stroke from the second position to the first position, and by the fact that the relevant cutting discs (11) are operated in rotation around the relevant axis along a first way during said first stroke and along a second way, opposite said first way, during said second stroke.

11. Piece of equipment (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that it has a unidirectional cutting mode wherein the cutting discs (11) of said transverse cutting heads (10) are arranged at a first distance from said conveyor plane (3) during a first stroke from the first position to the second position so as to intercept the ceramic manufactured article (M), and are arranged at a second distance from said conveyor plane (3), greater than said first distance, during a second stroke from the second position to the first position, so as not to intercept the ceramic manufactured article (M).

12. Piece of equipment (1) according to claims 10 and 11, characterized by the fact that it comprises a supporting element (23) connected movable by shifting to said frame (2) along said direction of work (22) and supporting said transverse cutting heads (10), and by the fact that it comprises displacement means (27) of said supporting element (23) operable to simultaneously raise / lower said transverse cutting heads (10) with respect to said conveyor plane (3).

13. Piece of equipment (1) according to claim 12, characterized by the fact that in said unidirectional cutting mode said displacement means (27) are operable, when said transverse cutting heads (10) reach the second position, to raise said supporting element (23).

14. Piece of equipment (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said transverse cutting heads (10) are movable with respect to said conveyor plane (3) along at least one direction of positioning (26) which is substantially parallel to said direction of forward movement (4).

15. Process for cutting unfired ceramic manufactured articles, comprising at least the following phases of: - providing at least one unfired ceramic manufactured article (M) to be cut; - cutting said unfired ceramic manufactured article (M) along at least one cutting direction (7, 8) so as to obtain a plurality of cut ceramic manufactured articles; characterized by the fact that said cutting comprises a first cut adapted to intercept the ceramic manufactured article (M) for a limited portion of its thickness, and a second cut, subsequent to and coincident with said first cut, wherein said second cut is adapted to intercept the ceramic manufactured article (M) for the remaining portion of its thickness.

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